A lot of aspirations are high for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024 college football campaign. With redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, head coach Josh Heupel and team are embarking on year two of a three-year plan; the time is now for a possible College Football Playoff run. Greg McElroy of ESPN, however, believes the Vols face a difficult task ahead of them. In addition to playing the Alabama Crimson Tide—albeit without famed head coach Nick Saban—they have road games against Georgia and Oklahoma.
“Can they defeat Georgia and Alabama? They probably can’t, but I believe they can win every other game on their schedule. As of right now, I believe that 8–4 is most likely, and 9–3 is definitely doable. However, I believe that their chances of making the 12-team playoffs are only 15% at 8-4. When they reach 9-3, I think that makes a big difference, but right now, I’m leaning more toward 8-4 and less toward that 9-3.” – Greg McElroy on Tennessee in 2024
Tennessee Volunteers ILB Jeremiah Telander during the win over Iowa. (Photo by Saul Young of the News Sentinel)